Tips For Desoldering Components

[FuzzMonkey]

I've been doing a few repairs lately on a handful of commercial pedals that often require desoldering faulty components. My main to techniques involve desoldering wick and a good old solder sucker.

Does anybody want tricks and tips on better using these methods more effectively? Especially on double-sided PCBs?

[alanp]

It's a bit counter-intuitive at first, but adding fresh solder to a stubborn joint can help sometimes.

Also, stainless steel dental pick can sometimes help.

[jubal81]

Haven't tried these yet, but desoldering needles look interesting.


http://youtu.be/b_5HgsIGb2E

[madbean]

If you don't care about the part cut it out first. You can often pull the leads out just with a soldering iron and wire cutters. Then you just have to remove solder from the pad. Works really well.

[EBK]

Also, stainless steel dental pick can sometimes help.

I have found dental picks to be very useful at opening up solder-filled pads/lugs after a part or wire has been removed.  Simple heat the solder and wiggle the pick around and you are ready to go again. 

But, yes, I second bean's suggestion of destroying the part and removing its leads/pins one at a time.  It is the best way to ensure that you don't burn up the remaining parts/traces.  There is a corollary:  if you want to recycle a soldered part with multiple pins, the easiest way is to destroy the board.

[Caedarn]

Does anybody want tricks and tips on better using these methods more effectively? Especially on double-sided PCBs?

Appreciate any suggestions.  And thanks to those who've posted already. I find de-soldering quite tricky

[davent]

It's a bit counter-intuitive at first, but adding fresh solder to a stubborn joint can help sometimes.

Also, stainless steel dental pick can sometimes help.

Stainless steel dental picks are endlessly useful, you'll wonder how you ever got by without having one handy at all times.
dave

[FuzzMonkey]

It's a bit counter-intuitive at first, but adding fresh solder to a stubborn joint can help sometimes.

I discovered that one works well with the desoldering wick.

Haven't tried these yet, but desoldering needles look interesting.

Those desoldering needles do look interesting. My concern would be potentially damaging the plated through-holes. But they look easy enough to use.

If you don't care about the part cut it out first. You can often pull the leads out just with a soldering iron and wire cutters. Then you just have to remove solder from the pad. Works really well.

Done that plenty of times.

But, yes, I second bean's suggestion of destroying the part and removing its leads/pins one at a time.  It is the best way to ensure that you don't burn up the remaining parts/traces.  There is a corollary:  if you want to recycle a soldered part with multiple pins, the easiest way is to destroy the board.

Yes. No point adding work to a pedal repair by then having to repair other parts or traces you've damaged while trying to remove a faulty component.

Appreciate any suggestions.  And thanks to those who've posted already. I find de-soldering quite tricky

+1.

[Aentons]

Similar thread. I would not recommend the needles.

https://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=30940.0

[FuzzMonkey]

Similar thread. I would not recommend the needles.

https://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=30940.0

Good to know.

[pickdropper]

I'm a big fan of soldering blades.  The one I have can heat all three legs of a 16mm pot at the same time.

[skyled]

I have a desoldering gun with a vacuum pump on it. The thing is magic.

[FuzzMonkey]

I have a desoldering gun with a vacuum pump on it. The thing is magic.

Pic, please.

[Aentons]

I'm a big fan of soldering blades.  The one I have can heat all three legs of a 16mm pot at the same time.

I'll have to try one of those! Seems like you could burn a chip real quick with that thing if you are not careful. Do you use it when you are trying to reuse a part?

[Aentons]

double post